This past weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives passed critical health care reform legislation that would strengthen Medicare for seniors and end discrimination by insurance companies that price millions of Americans out of affordable health coverage.

AARP wants to thank those New York Representatives in Congress who voted in favor of better health care for every New Yorker.

The House plan protects and strengthens Medicare for 2.7 million New Yorkers. The changes include reducing out-of-pocket prescription drug costs through closing the dreaded Part D “doughnut hole”, allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, covering some preventive care free of charge, and preserving access to doctors.

It will also provide more than 400,000 New Yorkers age 50-64 who are uninsured with access to affordable insurance options.

And, finally, the House plan begins to repair the country’s outdated system of long-term care by providing benefits to seniors and people with disabilities to continue to live in their own homes and in their own communities.

AARP is pleased to see this important step forward and we will keep working with Representatives in Congress to ensure that any final health care reform bill meets the needs of older Americans.